What Are Cozumel Cruise Passenger Fees Helping to Build?

A new sports arena is taking shape in downtown Cozumel, and money collected from cruise tourism is helping to fund it.

If you’ve visited Cozumel on a cruise, you may have wondered where the fees included in your fare go. The answer depends on the fee. Mexico collects a federal charge from nonresident cruise passengers. Quintana Roo also collects a separate state charge that supports projects in cruise destinations, including Cozumel.

One of those projects is the reconstruction of the Francisco Cordero Núñez Poliforum, an indoor arena on Calle 12. Demolition began in September 2026 after more than 40 years of basketball games, volleyball matches, performances and community gatherings. Cozumel’s mayor says the reconstruction is being funded through the state’s Cruise Tourism Welfare Trust.

A gathering place for generations of islanders

For Cozumel families, the old Poliforum was much more than a sports court. Children played there, parents cheered from the stands, and neighbors came together for events. Its demolition marks the end of a familiar chapter in island life, while making room for a larger venue.

The planned arena will have retractable seating for approximately 2,800 to 3,000 people. Plans also include three courts for basketball and volleyball practice, space for chess and martial arts, and air conditioning. The city has estimated the investment at 115 million pesos, with completion projected between February and April 2027. As with any construction project, that timeline may change.

Why do cruise passengers hear about two different fees?

The distinction is useful when you see cruise charges discussed online:

Charge	Amount in September 2026	Where it goes
Mexico’s federal nonresident cruise fee	US$10 per eligible passenger	Collected under the federal system; it is not the fee identified as funding the Poliforum.
Quintana Roo’s state cruise charge	US$5 per passenger	Supports the state’s Cruise Tourism Welfare Trust, which is funding projects in Cozumel and Mahahual.

The federal fee increased from US$5 to US$10 on August 1, 2026. Under the announced schedule, it is set to rise to US$15 in July 2027 and US$21 in August 2028. Quintana Roo describes its separate US$5 charge as a source of funding for local infrastructure, safety and disaster preparedness.

What does this mean for your visit?

You probably won’t visit Cozumel for a sports arena while you’re here on a cruise. But it is a reminder that Cozumel is a hometown as well as a port of call. The island’s courts, streets and gathering places matter to the people who welcome visitors every day.

If you take a private island tour, your driver may be able to show you where the Poliforum once stood and how the project is progressing. Then keep exploring: stop for local food, learn a little island history, or spend time at the coast that brought you here.

Cindy’s Local Tip: When you’re comparing cruise fares, remember that “port fees” can refer to several different charges. The recently increased federal fee and Quintana Roo’s state cruise charge are separate; the state trust is the one connected to this Cozumel project.

Planning a day ashore? FlipToursCozumel can help you explore the island at your own pace, from local neighborhoods and cultural stops to beaches and private tours.